Lefties John Lannan and Mike Minor face off in today's finale at Turner Field.

ATLANTA — Good morning one last time from Turner Field, where we've got a quick turnaround from last night's game to today's 12:10 p.m. series finale between the Nationals and Braves.

John Lannan starts for the Nats, looking to improve to 6-2 since his return from Class AA. Fellow left-hander Mike Minor starts for the Braves, who have fallen two games behind the Phillies in the NL East and desperately need a win.

Funky lineup for the Nats today. Adam Dunn and Roger Bernadina each get the day off. That leaves Nyjer Morgan batting second, Ian Desmond batting third and Alberto Gonzalez starting … at first base.

Wow, this is the most craptastic lineup the Nats have put on the field in the past 5 years. I have sen bettr lineups in the B game of a split squad during Spring Training! I guess we are hoping Lannan loses, blows up in the locker room and then we can DFA him for conduct unbecoming!?Nice to see the at Braves continue to trot out their guys even after a night game wish we would field a compentitive team down the stretch…oh wait we only have about 5 competent players even with expanded rosters.

If he does get 40 HR, wouldn't his perceived value increase even more? There's definitely a big jump from 39 to 40 home runs. Not saying the Nats are keeping him out of the lineup to lower his price (I mean, the odds of him hitting a home run in any particular game aren't that high anyway – though higher than most players), but it is something to think about. Also, he's a wily old vet, so he gets his day games off after those tough night games.Thankfully, we get to see Ramos today.

I wonder if JR went to Dunn and asked him if he'd like the day off, as he is prone to do occasionally with his players. I know he asked Desmond if he wanted the day off after his 4 strikeout night and Desi said he** no, or words to that effect anyway. Perhaps the Donkey is tired and said, yeah, I'll sit this one out skip, but I'll swing a stick late if ya need me, go get em guys. JTinSC

My predicition for Maxwell: 0-4 with at least 2 strikeouts.As for Dunn getting the day off, I do believe it's been a while since he had one. BUT A) HE IS HITTING WELL AND B) THE TEAM IS OFF TOMORROW. I haven't yet jumped on the Anti-Riggleman bandwagon, but this move has me scratching my head. His job is to put out the best possible lineup day in and day out, and this is clearly not it. But some of his "B" lineups have surprised us before, so I'm hoping for the best today…

Yeah, what happened to respecting the game Riggleman? Damned hypocrite! Atlanta is what? Neck-and-neck with the Phillies? 1 or 2 games ahead for the wildcard? And what does Riggleman do? Puts in a lineup that looks one the P-nats can beat. He really has to go.

8 hits and 2 ER over 5 1/3 = absolute bulldog? I'm rooting for Trevor as much as anyone, but it's comments like those that make the Holder-haters come out in droves. And for good reason.Come on people.

8 hits and 2 ER over 5 1/3 = absolute bulldog? I'm rooting for Trevor as much as anyone, but it's comments like those that make the Holder-haters come out in droves. And for good reason.Uhhh dude!? Are you reading challenged? Do you have dyslexia? Because that is an actual quote by his manager after the game. Absolutebulldog. And he was the Georgia Bulldog's ace for 3 years. Idiots.

Anon 11:06/12:48 – it's better to remain unposted and be thought a fool tha post away and remove all doubt.Or be someone who thinks just the way they write Post-It notes … those yellow stickies that somehow get lost … kind of like losing all your yellow marbles …

I love everything that happened yesterday and today is shaping up great.But that is the frustration. If the Nationals can do it today and yesterday, why can't they do it on a more regular basis?Why can the Nats make it look so easy against a powerhouse like Atlanta, then get the crap beat out of them by inferior clubs like the Marlins, Mets and Cubs?How does a guy like Justin Maxwell, who about 95% of the folks on this and other blogs have given up on, then he comes in a hits a clutch grand slam.I just don't get it and can't put my fingers on it, does any of you bright minds have any ideas???

So look what I missed while I was at a lunch meeting! I guess I'm having crow for dessert. Like I said in my first post, sometimes these lineups can yield surprising results. I'm happy for JMax for finally coming through. He doesn't get a ton of hits, but he certainly gets some big ones. Didn't he also hit a grand slam in Atlanta late last season too?

Oh no. I had hoped Maxwell's .132/.292/.250 in 76 ABs before today might finally spell the end of the idea that he has a future with the Nats. But today's grand slam like the other two he has hit in meaningless September games will undoubtedly give him new life. Deja vu all over again.

Anyone watching or listening know what the delay was starting the top of the 6th?That's something about JMax's stats with the bases loaded. We should just use him as a pinch-hitter exclusively in those situations

It's not that tough, Gol. The guy isn't hitting well, but he's not hitting .000, either. Three for four (with a K, as I recall) in grand slams is very cool, but if he sticks around long enough, he won't be slugging 3.00 in that situation forever.

Anti-ClintI may of jinxed you, I swear that I read your post the moment Maxwell step up to the plate and I was laughing saying, bases loaded a strikeout here will send Maxwell down to the Gulf LeagueOnly problem is not now this prolongs what is going to happen, Nats finally giving up on him.Funny I was at the last home game last year when Maxwell hit the walkoff homerun and we said the same thing. That Maxwell was on the way out and then does this to let people what to see him a few more games.Frankly we have to see a lot more of this from Maxwell which I don't think is possible. Just think it was a lucky stab at the right time. Hope I am wrong but he just doesn't seem to be able to hit consistently in the major leagues.

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.Ps 17:28Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Mark-Charlie and Dave shared your speculation that Cox was questioning whether Kennedy was batting in the correct order. My question: do the rules really allow you to wait until after Kennedy gets a hit to challenge that? I would think that argument would go away as soon as he steps in and you don't challenge it then and there.

I guess I must have provided the counter-jinx then, because when J-Max stepped in I said something to the effect of "this is a job for Grand Slam Maxwell." The rest, as they say, is history. :-)—I may of jinxed you, I swear that I read your post the moment Maxwell step up to the plate and I was laughing saying, bases loaded a strikeout here will send Maxwell down to the Gulf League

Just finished watching the DVR of today's game and gotta give some large love to — Jim Riggleman. I thought he did a great job of managing today. Putting Lannan on the mount to start the 7th was great as was the use of Peralta, Burnett and Storen. Heck, I didn't even mind the double switchin' today.

i love reading the comments after the game. especially when people trash the lineup before a win. to paraphrase yogi or casey (can't remember)"it ain't over til it at least STARTS"yeeshbtw – bible quotes. made me think of what poor flores thinks when he sees ramosjohn 11:35 – "jesus wept"

I know this wasn't the most dominant outing Lannan is capable of but has he earned some respect among Nationals fans after this outing against a contender? or do we still visualize any nats future rotation without Lannan?